Jacob Duffy and Zakary Foulkes led New Zealand’s dominant bowling attack on Sunday, sharing seven wickets as Pakistan crumbled to 105 all out in just 16.2 overs. The emphatic 115-run victory in the fourth T20I at Bay Oval sealed the series for New Zealand with one match still to play.
Duffy (4-20) and Foulkes (3-25) thrived under the floodlights, making life miserable for Pakistan’s batters. At one point, Pakistan was struggling at 56-8, dangerously close to their lowest-ever T20I total of 74 (against Australia in 2012). However, Abdul Samad’s unbeaten 44 helped them avoid that unwanted record.
Explosive Batting Sets Up Big Total
Earlier, New Zealand set the tone with a commanding 220-6 after being sent in to bat. Finn Allen was in electric form, smashing a 19-ball half-century, while captain Michael Bracewell finished unbeaten on 46.
Tim Seifert’s quickfire 44 off 22 balls got New Zealand off to a flying start, putting on 59 runs in just 4.1 overs with Allen. Their powerplay score of 79-1 was the highest New Zealand has ever posted against Pakistan. Allen struck six fours and three sixes before Haris Rauf (3-27) applied some pressure in the middle overs. But Bracewell ensured a strong finish to the innings.
“With Tim belting them, it’s tough to find rhythm sometimes,” said Allen, who was named Player of the Match. “It’s nice to sit at the other end, watch him go, and then take over when he’s done.”
Shakib Al Hasan passes bowling action reassessment test
Pakistan’s Batting Collapses Under Pressure
Pakistan’s chase got off to a nightmare start, losing three wickets in the first two overs. Third-match centurion Hasan Nawaz managed just one run before edging behind, while captain Salman Ali Agha also fell early.
Will O’Rourke set the tone by bowling Mohammad Haris with just the second ball of the innings, while Duffy struck twice in quick succession to leave Pakistan reeling. The New Zealand pacers capitalized on the swinging conditions, with even leg-spinner Ish Sodhi getting sharp turn.
“We have to give them credit; they bowled really well and completely outplayed us,” said Ali Agha. “The ball was swinging and turning, but as an international team, we have to do better.”
With the series already decided, the fifth and final match will be played in Wellington on Wednesday.
